<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">GREN Folks,<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">As we discussed at our recent GREN meeting, the provincial government is wrapping up the Co-ordinated Land Use Review with amendments and changes to the Greenbelt and the Growth Plan in May. Premier Wynne has been clear that she will not succumb to developer pressures to remove lands from the Greenbelt and instead intends to add additional lands including possible expansion to Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Simcoe County, and other areas with vulnerable source water areas facing growth pressures.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">It is anticipated that there will be a public consultation process this summer and decisions prior to December on Greenbelt expansion in advance of the provincial election next June. We need to ensure that Greenbelt expansion to Waterloo Region remains a top priority for our governments to reinforce our Regional Official Plan and local protections and that it doesn’t get crowded out by other pressing issues as the election approaches.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">We need you to:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">1) Write </b>- Please write our local MPP’s and Regional Officials, cc’ing the Premier to let them know that we need the Greenbelt protection that we have been requesting for 12 years now - the same level of protection as other rapidly growing Greater Golden Horseshoe communities. A sample letter is included below along with e-mail addresses. Feel free to also phone these offices including the Premier to ask for Greenbelt expansion.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">2) Post Signs -</b> We have been provided with several hundred “Protect Our Water” <a href="http://www.growourgreenbelt.ca" class="">www.growourgreenbelt.ca</a> weatherproof lawn signs. Places like Wellington and Simcoe are getting them out across their communities too - on people’s lawns and strategically locating them where they are most likely to be seen by MPP’s. I have left 100 of these signs on John Jackson’s front porch (17 Major Street, Kitchener). If we can have 8 or 10 people pick up and post 8 or 10 signs in their part of town, on their lawn, on other supporters lawns, etc. it will really help to raise awareness as we head into summer.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Please let me know any questions and share any ideas.</div><div class="">Kevin.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">---------------------------</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Sample Letter:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Dear XXX:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Please grow the Greenbelt to Waterloo Region to help reinforce our Regional Official Plan, add a valuable second layer of protection to our local policies, and better protect our farmland, greenspace and vulnerable source water areas. The Greenbelt needs to expand to better protect our vital areas across the Greater Golden Horseshoe that are facing increased leapfrog and development pressures.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">The vast majority of Canadians are calling for more action on climate change and the environment. You have a chance to act now and create an incredible legacy for future generations by protecting our greenspace and agriculture as well as better guiding growth and the efficient use of infrastructure with Smart Growth communities.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">We need your leadership now. Please expand the Greenbelt and ensure our community has the balance, local food, water, and resources needed to thrive in the decades ahead.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Sincerely,</div><div class="">XXXX</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">-------------------------</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Premier Kathleen Wynne</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" class="">kwynne.mpp@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(416) 325-1941 - Queen’s Park Office</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Kathryn McGarry - MPP Cambridge</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:kmcgarry.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" class="">kmcgarry.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 623-5852</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Daiene Vernile - MPP Kitchener Centre</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:dvernile.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" class="">dvernile.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 579-5460</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Catherine Fife - MPP Kitchener-Waterloo</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:cfife-co@ndp.on.ca" class="">cfife-co@ndp.on.ca</a></div><div class="">(519) 725-3477</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Michael Harris - MPP Kitchener-Conestoga</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:micheal.harris@pc.ola.org" class="">micheal.harris@pc.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 954-8679</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Ted Arnott - MPP Wellington-Halton Hills</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:ted.arnott@pc.ola.org" class="">ted.arnott@pc.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 787-5247</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Dave Levac - MPP Brant</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:dlevac.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" class="">dlevac.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 759-0361</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Liz Sandals - MPP Guelph</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:lsandals.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" class="">lsandals.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="">(519) 826-4190</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Waterloo Regional Councillors</div><div class=""><a href="mailto:regionalcouncillors@regionofwaterloo.ca" class="">regionalcouncillors@regionofwaterloo.ca</a></div><div class="">(519) 575-4585</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">----------------------------</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><img apple-inline="yes" id="5CA5DDCE-5FE5-474A-91AE-66BB657A4AB0" src="cid:E4F88E26-26B6-4F1B-922C-D7716B0A04D0" class=""><br class=""><div class="">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><br class="">-------------------------------------</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><br class=""></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">P.S. - It was disappointing to see the editorial in The Record today calling for less housing regulation, lower densities and more rapid growth - the opposite of sustainability and what is needed to ensure we succeed over the years ahead. Feel free to write The Record as well - <a href="mailto:letters@therecord.com" class="">letters@therecord.com</a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><br class=""></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">------------------------------------<br class=""><br class="">Kevin Thomason<br class=""><br class="">1115 Cedar Grove Road<br class="">Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2J 3Z4<br class=""><br class="">Phone: (519) 888-0519<br class="">Mobile Phone: (519) 240-1648<br class="">Twitter: @kthomason<br class="">E-mail: <a href="mailto:kevinthomason@mac.com" class="">kevinthomason@mac.com</a><br class=""><br class="">-----------------------------------------</div>
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